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Last Call! Virtual Release of 2019 National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) Results

It’s not too late to register for the virtual release of the 2019 NAEP results in reading and mathematics for grade 12 students! Beyond NAEP, the event will highlight NCES data that lend insights into grade 12 students’ postsecondary plans, choices, and pathways. The event will take place October 28.

 

 

Last Call! Presidential Scholars Award

The program is open to seniors graduating between January and June 2021 and who are U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents. Students at public, private, and home schools are eligible. Presidential Scholars will receive a medallion at an expenses-paid ceremony in Washington, D.C. The Presidential Scholars will be chosen by a commission on the basis of outstanding scholarship, as well as artistic achievement, leadership, and community service. Contact Sharon Fishel for more information. Applications are due by October 30.

 

 

Last Call! CTE Presidential Scholars Award

The program is open to all high school seniors who participate in a CTE program, who will graduate between January and June 2021, and who are U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents. Students at public, private, and home schools are eligible. Presidential Scholars will receive a medallion at an expenses-paid ceremony in Washington, D.C. For more information contact Dr. Bjorn Wolter. Applications are due by October 30.

 

 

Last Call! WIDA Announces eSummit

Alaska’s educators are invited to attend the WIDA eSummit October 12-30, a free virtual learning opportunity. To access the event, a valid WIDA Secure Portal account will be required. Educators that do not have a portal account are encouraged to submit a WIDA Secure Portal account request as soon as possible. Submit the form on the WIDA website.

 

 

Last Call! Brightways Learning’s Ed Snax Virtual PD Experiences

These highly engaging, bite-sized events will help educators, administrators, and staff develop resilience and learn connection and engagement strategies.

  • Finding Resilience: Teaching and Survival Strategies in a Pandemic – October 24
  • reVitalize: The Kaleidoscope Behind Educator Resilience – November 21

 

 

Last Call! Alaska Staff Development Network Upcoming Fall Webinar Series

We are in a new place this school year, and ASDN’s fall webinar series will address focusing on the most important instructional goals, ideas for teaching in person and online, and strategies for clearly communicating with families and supporting engagement during blended or online instruction.

 

 

New:

 

NEW! New Grant Makes Young Engineers

A recent $4 million grant award project funded by the U.S. Department of Education will bring new opportunities for an estimated 2,680 Alaska Native Students in engineering education over the next four years. The collaborative project between Kawerak Inc and NACTEC was pursued based on students’ performance in math and science in the region; nearly 90% of students fall below proficiency in these areas.

 

 

NEW! Harvest the Code -  K-5 Virtual Workshop for Educators

The Code.org Virtual Workshop is for all K-5 educators, whether serving students in-person or remotely. Code.org's Computer Science Fundamentals is a web-based curriculum and does not require any additional software to be added to devices. It includes "plugged" and "unplugged" lessons. It aligns to the Alaska State Computer Science Standards, teaches digital literacy, logic, and computational thinking. One optional UAA 500-level credit available. November 9, 16, and 23.

 

 

NEW! Free Energy Literacy Teacher Training Nov 12-14

Join the Renewable Energy Alaska Project (REAP) for a free virtual teacher training workshop November 12-14.  This workshop will cover how to incorporate energy literacy, energy conservation and efficiency, and renewable energy lessons into your virtual or in-person classroom. Participants will receive an educator kit as well as one free continuing education credit through UAA. Open to traditional and non-traditional K-12 educators. Register by November 2.

 

 

NEW! Virtual Release of 2019 National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) Results

It’s not too late to register for the virtual release of the 2019 NAEP results in reading and mathematics for grade 12 students! Beyond NAEP, the event will highlight NCES data that lend insights into grade 12 students’ postsecondary plans, choices, and pathways. The event will take place October 28.

 

 

NEW! 2021 Farm to School Grant Request for Applications

Funding from the USDA is available to assist farms, schools, and every link in between in feeding kids healthy local meals; teaching them about food, farming and nutrition; and supporting local agricultural economies. Each grant helps implement farm to school programs that increase access to local food in eligible schools, connect children with agriculture for better health, and inspire youth to consider careers in agriculture.  Applications are due January 8.

 

 

NEW! NASF Centennial School Tree Challenge

The Centennial School Tree Challenge in Alaska invites schools to apply for tree grants through the remainder of 2020. The goal is to have 100 schools plant a tree to celebrate Arbor Day and to celebrate Alaskans strength and resiliency. Thanks to the US Forest Service, the Alaska Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry has grants for up to $400.00 for the purchase, shipping and planting of trees. Trees can be planted on school grounds, or even indoors if your school has a suitable space or a greenhouse. There is no deadline, but this opportunity is first come first served.

 

 

Reminder:

 

Alaska’s COVID-19 ECHO Informational Sessions

Keep informed about COVID-19 in Alaska with DHSS, the Alaska Department of Education & Early Development (DEED) and Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) through the UAA Center for Human Development. These videoconferences create virtual learning communities by connecting Alaska’s COVID-19 experts with specific audiences on specific topics.

Wednesdays at 10:30-11:30 am.

 

 

Project ECHO – Call for Presenters!

Alaska Education Network – Project ECHO Sessions begin in October. They are currently seeking presenters and problem of practice submissions from educators throughout the state. The networks this year are Educational Leadership; Positive Behavior, Safety, and Well-Being; and Instructional Development. All are in need of presenters. For more information or to submit a proposal, please visit www.echoeducationak.com.

 

 

DHSS Seeking Public Comment on Emergency Regulation

The Department of Health and Social Services is seeking public comment on emergency regulations relating to permitted Public Health information disclosures during a declared public health emergency. Comments are due by Nov 2.

 

 

Superintendent Dr. Deena Bishop Selected for Leadership Development Program

Twenty senior public education leaders have been selected for the inaugural cohort of the Fellowship for Public Education Leadership, a 10-month leadership development program at The Broad Center at Yale SOM. Among the selected is Dr. Deena Bishop, Superintendent for the Anchorage School District.

 

 

Alaska Association of School Librarians Announces 2020 Awards

Congratulations to the 2020 Alaska Association of School Librarians award winners! Lisa Whip (West Homer Elementary) and Shelly Logsdon (Wasilla High School) were selected as the 2020 School Librarians of the Year. Teresa Brown (Kenai Middle and Kenai Central High) was named School Library Staff of the Year. Caitlin Jacobson (Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District) was selected for the Linda K Barrett Service Award.

 

 

38th Annual National Missing Children’s Day Poster Contest

The National Missing Children's Day Poster Contest is a nationwide contest for 5th grade students and is designed to promote awareness among teachers, parents/guardians and children and engage them in discussions about safety. Posters should be mailed to Lieutenant Paul Fussey at 5700 E. Tutor Road, Anchorage, AK 99507 by February 1.

 

 

The Alaska Staff Development Network is Hiring!

ASDN is hiring a Grants Administrator. This position will be integral to providing high-quality grant management services under existing contracts, developing new grant proposals that benefit Alaska’s K-12 educators, and providing technical assistance, as needed, to support ASDN and other ACSA educational programs.

 

 

Virtual Computer Science Workshops for Elementary Teachers - Still Accepting Registrations!

Computer Science Fundamentals (CSF) is designed for K-5 elementary educators new to teaching computer science who want to explore how to begin teaching the CSF curriculum. Join experienced facilitators to get an intro to computer science, pedagogy, overviews of the online curriculum and teacher dashboard, as well as strategies for teaching “unplugged” classroom activities. Virtual workshops sessions will occur in September, October, November, and December.

 

 

2021 Farm to School Grant Request for Applications is Now Open!

USDA will award up to $10 million in competitive grants to eligible entities through the Farm to School Grant Program in FY 2021. Each grant helps implement farm to school programs that increase access to local food in eligible schools, connect children with agriculture for better health, and inspire youth to consider careers in agriculture.

 

 

Trump Administration Extends Free Meals for Kids for the Entire School Year

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced today that the USDA is extending flexibilities to allow free meals to continue to be available to all children throughout the entire 2020-2021 school year. This unprecedented move is part of USDA’s unwavering commitment to ensuring all children across America have access to nutritious food as the nation recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

 

USDA invests $72M in Distance Learning and Telemedicine Infrastructure

Six grants were awarded to Alaska to help develop distance learning in rural communities. Grant recipients include Yukon-Koyukuk School District, Cordova City School District, Southcentral Foundation, Aleutians East Borough School District, Northwest Arctic Borough School District, and Lower Yukon School District.

 

 

2021 Alaska Air Carriers Association Scholarship Opportunity

Is your student preparing for a career in aviation? Do they have ambitions of being a pilot? The Alaska Air Carriers Association is sponsoring a scholarship program for high school seniors. Applications are due December 1.

 

 

UA Dual Enrollment Resources

Are you interested in dual enrollment opportunities at the University of Alaska? Members of the University of Alaska Transition Coalition (UATC) are available to assist with curriculum alignment, dual enrollment, and other opportunities that support the transition of secondary students to continue their training and education at the postsecondary level.

 

 

Six Alaska Teens Honored for Community Service as Local Heroes

Through the Summer of Heroes Program, Alaska Communications is proud to celebrate six youth for their outstanding community service across Alaska. Five youth heroes at large and one youth hero from the company’s employee program will be awarded a $1,500 scholarship for their efforts. Additionally, as part of the program, Alaska Communications will donate $15,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs – Alaska to further support youth development in the state.

 

 

Alaska ACTE Annual Awards Program Seeking Nominations

Each year the Alaska Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) Board of Directors recognizes the outstanding work of the CTE professionals in Alaska through the annual award nomination process. Nominated by their peers, the recipients will be announced in December and celebrated at the February 2021 CTE Directors meeting. Submit nominations by November 13.

 

 

Extra Student Support – Virtual Fall Study Group

Tlingit & Haida’s Navigators program is offering a virtual Zoom study group for Alaska Native/American Indian students. Tutoring, homework coaching, and one-on-one sessions are available to help students get the most out of their school year. Sessions are offered Wednesdays thru Dec. 16. Sessions are available for elementary and 6-12th grade students.

 

 

Virtual National Literacy Summit

Join renowned thought leaders including Dr. Pedro Noguera, Dr. Doug Fisher, Dr. Bill Daggett, and Kweku Mandela for the 2nd Annual National Literacy Summit. An entire day of professional learning exploring the latest innovations and strategies to help you address the needs of your students and accelerate literacy growth. From teachers to district superintendents, there are learning opportunities for all educators. The conference will take place November 5.

 

 

2021 Alaska Retired Educators Opportunity Grant

The Alaska Retired Educators Association (AKREA) funds Classroom Opportunity Grants. In past years, awards have been given for many diverse classroom projects not funded through the regular budget. Up to $200 will be awarded for each project. Applications are available from Virginia Walters and must be submitted by December 20. If you are interested in joining the selection team, retired teachers can contact Barbara Rich.

 

 

Girls Who Code at Home Activities

Girls Who Code releases free computer science activities for students, educators, and parents on Mondays. Some online, some offline, of varying levels of difficulty. Each activity features a woman in tech who pioneered innovative technology.

 

 

PPE for Schools and Districts

Get Us PPE is a national nonprofit that has delivered almost 2.5 million pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) to frontline workers. They are launching a program to get PPE to schools free of charge by matching schools and districts with local maker communities (groups that sew, 3D print, or otherwise produce "made" PPE). Interested parties can take this survey on PPE needs.

 

 

Computer Science in One Minute

Computer Science in 60 Seconds is a series of 30 videos introducing big ideas of computer science (in one minute or so). The self-paced videos are followed by an activity the kids can complete at home.

 

 

Alaska Challenger Goes Virtual

Looking for more options to teach kids science at home? Challenger is now offering week-long Virtual Programs! Each individual week focuses on engaging students and reinforcing STEM concepts being taught in the classroom. Topics will range from ecosystems, genetics, space science, properties of matter, energy and much more! Starting September 28, look for a new theme every month.

 

 

Google Educators Group of Alaska

Google Educators Group (GEG) are independently run communities of educators who inspire and empower each other to meet the needs of students through technology both in the classroom and beyond. Via face to face meet-ups and online activities, GEGs provide a way for educators who are passionate about education and technology to meet like-minded people and share, learn, and collaborate together.

 

 

Professional Book Studies

As lifelong readers and leaders, we know the value of reading and learning together at the student level, but rarely do we get the chance to read and learn together as leaders from any segment of the Alaskan community. Join one of four professional book studies that will include personal interaction with the authors. The goal is to bring Alaskans together so we can all be better prepared to support students learning.

 

 

Dr. Fauci Helps Students Understand Coronavirus and Safety

Talking to children about COVID-19 may have just gotten a little easier. In the latest kid-friendly pandemic video published by BrainPOP, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious  Diseases, Dr. Anthony Fauci, explains to students of all ages the role they can play in controlling the spread of coronavirus.

 

 

The Alaska Staff Development Network Fall 2020 Catalog is Out!

In it you will find details of all ASDN's online courses, webinars, conferences and institutes available to you. ASDN currently offers 75 high-quality online courses, including courses that meet the DEED certification requirements in multi-cultural education and Alaska Studies. 

 

 

Scholarship Program Seeking Alaska’s Top Youth Volunteers

In this time of disruption due to COVID-19, it’s more important than ever to celebrate young people making a difference through volunteer service. Prudential Financial and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) are calling on Alaska youth volunteers to apply for scholarships and national recognition through The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. Applications are due November 10.

 

 

Smithsonian Center Distance Learning Resources

During this challenging back to school season, Smithsonian is committed to supporting teachers, students and caregivers through free, quality resources from the Smithsonian Education team. Resources focus on pre-K through 12 education and include lesson plans tied to national learning standards and a variety of low-tech and no-tech solutions. There are also Spanish/English learning resources that touch all subject areas.

 

 

Alaskan Educators – Encourage Your Students to Check their Voter Status

The League of Women Voters of Alaska invites all Alaskan educators to alert students who are 18 years old or who will be 18 before or on the General Election day, November 3rd, to check their voter registration. To check voting status, visit: https://myvoterinformation.alaska.gov/. Encourage students to inform themselves with the information on candidates and ballot issues.

 

 

EdPalooza – Ignite Ideas, Inspire Change, Transform Education

Leveraging the power of technology, EdPalooza will be the largest virtual convening of its kind, with three days of visionary keynotes plus a “palooza” of interactive learning sessions, engaging discussions and action-oriented workshops. Watch for agenda details and highlights in the coming weeks, with registration opening in October. The conference will take place December 1-3.

 

 

Healthier Generation: COVID-19 and Back-to-School Resources

For nearly every school and family, the back-to-school season looks and feels very different this year. Healthier Generation provides a selection of free, evidence-based resources designed to support you and your students or children in reducing stress, eating healthy, moving regularly, getting quality sleep, and more, whether school is taking place in-person or virtually.

 

 

Secretary DeVos Extends Student Loan Relief to Borrowers through End of Year

Acting on President Donald J. Trump's Presidential Memorandum signed August 8, 2020, U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos today directed Federal Student Aid (FSA) to extend the student loan relief to borrowers initiated by the President and Secretary in March 2020 through December 31, 2020.

 

 

USDA Extends Free Meals for Kids Through December 31, 2020

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will extend several flexibilities through as late as December 31, 2020. The flexibilities allow summer meal program operators to continue serving free meals to all children into the fall months. This unprecedented move will help ensure – no matter what the situation is on-the-ground – children have access to nutritious food as the country recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic

 

 

Awareness Materials on Family and Youth Homelessness

As a result of the pandemic, and without the usual methods of outreach and identification, many families and youth experiencing homelessness may be even more disconnected from school and early childhood programs. The SchoolHouse Connection created PSAs and a social media toolkit to help raise awareness and provide information around educational rights. 

 

 

Latest COVID-19 Response Resources from the REL Program

In response to COVID-19, the 10 Regional Educational Laboratories (RELs) have collaborated to produce a series of evidence-based resources and information about teaching and learning in a remote environment, as well as other considerations brought by the pandemic.

 

 

Healthy Futures Challenge

Some schools are starting online, while others are starting in person. When students are not in school, they miss opportunities for daily movement that recess and in-person physical education class provide. The free Healthy Futures program challenges students to be active and record their activity for a chance to be awarded with fun incentives. The challenge runs September 1 – November 30.

 

 

Transition Guide to Postsecondary Education and Employment for Students and Youth with Disabilities

The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) is pleased to publish an updated Transition Guide to Postsecondary Education and Employment for Students and Youth with Disabilities (August, 2020), to advance our efforts in ensuring that all students and youth with disabilities are equipped with the skills and knowledge to achieve their post-school and career goals.

 

 

Save These Dates for the Association of Alaska School Boards!

  • Virtual AASB 67th Annual Conference – November 6-8
  • AASB Executive Admin Workshop – December 10-11
  • School Law & Equity Academy – December 11-12
  • Virtual AASB Maintenance Conference – January 13-14

 

 

Learning Computer Science While Schools are Closed

Code.org want to support teachers, students, and families while students are learning from home. They’re offering resources for parents and teachers. Plus, options for smartphones for anyone who doesn’t have a computer at home.

 

 

Free Virtual Author Visits

Author J. Scott Savage is offering free virtual author visits this year. Savage, author of nineteen novels including the Farworld middle grade fantasy series, The Case File 13 middle grade horror series, the Mysteries of Cove steampunk dragon series, and The Lost Wonderland Diaries, will be hosting virtual assemblies starting in September. Spots fill up fast, so interested parties should contact Jennifer Aspley at events@jscottsavage.com.

 

 

Statistics in Schools for the New School Year

As the 2020-2021 school year gets underway, the U.S. Census Bureau’s Statistics in Schools (SIS) program is here to support educators, parents, and caregivers with easy-to-use resources for classroom lessons or at-home learning.  Using these resources, you can empower students to learn how the once-in-a-decade count impacts and shapes their communities.

 

 

Hero Elementary

This summer, a new children’s show funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Ready to Learn Television program debuted on PBS.  “Hero Elementary” is about a school for up-and-coming superheroes, where students learn to master such powers as flying and teleportation while exploring science along the way.  The series -- watch a preview episode available on YouTube -- pushes children ages 4 to 7 to think like scientists to solve problems and touches upon social issues like kindness and empathy.

 

 

Online Story Circles for Educators and Community Members

Educator Story Circles are opportunities for small groups of people (educators and engaged community members) to gather together to listen and share thoughts and stories related to a common theme. No preparation is necessary, and each participant has the option to share or simply listen to others. Story Circles aren’t about performing. Rather, the purpose is to listen and connect. Participants who want to lead Story Circles with their own students or community members will have access to a free toolkit and will be eligible for a $200 stipend from the Alaska Humanities Forum.

 

 

Ready to Read Alaska

Ready to Read Alaska is a statewide initiative for families and caregivers of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers in Alaska. The program’s mission is to promote early literacy development in Alaska’s young children to create the foundations needed for when a child begins to learn to read. Ready to Read is posting training videos on YouTube, and literacy tips, book recommendations, crafts, and activities on Instagram.

 

 

To submit news items, please contact Rochelle Lindley at (907) 465-6535 or rochelle.lindley@alaska.gov. This newsletter is available weekly and in archived form at https://education.alaska.gov/news/infoexch.